A beginner’s guide for getting involved with social justice in your community.
By Ryann Frolick
Activism seems daunting at first glance. It’s hard to navigate the broad and immense topics that are engaged with social justice. You may not know where to start or what to look for. This guide to taking the first steps of action offers digestible mechanisms to make engaging less intimidating.
Define your goals. Like any issue, know what you want to see short and long term. What do you want to achieve? What is something you can do within the next week? Where do you want this to take you in three months? Creating short and long-term goals can help provide the groundwork to take those first steps and keep you on track along the way.
Start small. Smaller steps can make social justice seem more digestible. Attend rallies, write letters to local policymakers, educate your peers on the things you learn and sign petitions.
Focus on knowledge. Understand the cause you want to change. Research its history and learn about its current status. Read books or articles and follow news that relates to your cause. Attend seminars or workshops and look online for hashtags or explore pages. Know the impact this has on people and the greater society.
Share widely. Take advantage of social media. Find relevant content and share it. Engage with influencers that discuss civil rights and social issues. Online communities offer solidarity allowing you to engage with like-minded individuals while curating an algorithm that will further your commitment to your cause.
Show up. You cannot be active in your community if you don’t attend rallies or events that support your cause. Be there. Be supportive. Show you care by adding your talents to the mix. Think about what you are good at. Where do you think you will do best – advocacy, organization, online campaigning, volunteering or fundraising?
Know where you work well. Know what you’re comfortable with so you can achieve your goals. Organizations want to find a spot for you. There are always areas that need your help, whether it’s creativity like making banners and flyers, or outreach and finding others to join your campaign.
Find local organizations to support. It’s as easy as a Google search or looking for Facebook groups. Organizations are everywhere if you’re looking for them. Follow them, see what they’re about and attend a rally or fundraiser.
Build a strong network. Having a group that supports what you believe in provides guidance and the opportunity to expand further on the issues you care about. Finding an organization makes activism more engaging and activist groups appreciate the resources you offer.
Engage in societal discourse. Once you are involved in activism, expand your outreach. Talk to others about the issues. Prepare arguments and discussion for those who have differing opinions from yours. In this way, activists can maintain an open conversation while being respectful and gain support for their cause.
Be persistent. Activism can be disheartened due to the slow process of change. Keep in mind that collective action does work. Your contribution adds to collective action gaining more traction, influence and resources. Recognize the positive changes you are making.
Remember self-care. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and need to disengage. Take breaks when you need to protect your mental health. It’s hard multitasking everything people have going on. Surround yourself with good people who are supportive when things seem hopeless. Activism is not a singular action.